Leading lights: the top bakery appointments of 2023

There’s been several big announcements of new names in leadership and senior roles at UK bakery businesses and trade bodies over the past 12 months.

We look back at the top appointments from 2023 set to move things forward in the baking industry:

Mary-Ann Kilby
Managing director, Warburtons
Having joined the Bolton-based bread giants as a non-executive director last year, Mary-Ann Kilby was named its new MD back in March. She was previously MD of Samworth Brothers and brings her 30 years of experience in the food industry to lead Warburton’s operational Leadership Board.

Karen Dear
Chief executive, Craft Bakers Association
After 23 years with the CBA, including most recently as its director of operations, Karen Dear’s “dedicated service and leadership” saw her appointed as its new chief executive in March. Dear said the new role will enable her to focus on growing the organisation, whilst also ensuring  membership continues to be valuable to all its members and industry supporters.

Gary Sharkey
President, UK Flour Millers
Described as a veteran of the grain business, Hovis procurement director Gary Sharkey was elected president of the trade body at its annual meeting in May. He takes over from Roger Butler, who had led the British flour industry through three years of much volatility. UK Flour Millers also appointed Alistair Gale as its new chief executive back in March.

Peter Feld
CEO, Barry Callebaut
With Peter Boone stepping down for personal reasons, the chocolate manufacturer picked another Peter – German national Feld – to take over the leadership role in April. Feld was previously CEO of investment firm Jacob Holdings and will look to help Barry Callebaut recover from a 2.9% drop in volumes.

Adam Smart
CEO, Genius Foods
The gluten-free bakery specialist recruited Adam Smart for its top job in April, shortly after securing a £7.5m asset-based loan to expand its presence in the UK and Europe. The former general manager of PepsiCo Ireland stepped in for the outgoing Dr Peter Quinn, who left the Bathgate-based firm after four challenging years.

Fulya Fraser
Chief growth officer, Pladis
The internal promotion of Fulya Fraser to the newly-created position of chief growth officer in May is designed to help the snack manufacturer accelerate its global growth. The former chief human resources officer is tasked with bringing Pladis’ brands, including McVitie’s, Godiva, Jacob’s, Carr’s and Ülker, to more consumers in more parts of the world.

Lesley Cameron
CEO, Scottish Bakers
Former director of marketing and communications at Quality Meat Scotland, Lesley Cameron, was announced as the new CEO of the trade body in June, replacing Alasdair Smith after five years at the helm. Cameron has more than 20 years of experience at various food and drink firms across Scotland.

Colin Dingwall
Managing director, Nairn’s
Nairn’s finance director Colin Dingwall ascended to the managing director role in October. Dingwall is to take on the position from Martyn Gray following Gray’s retirement in May next year, which comes after a decade of growing the brand best known for its oatcakes.

Graham Hollinshead
UK managing director, Ole & Steen
Former Caravan Restaurants operations director Graham Hollinshead was named UK managing director of the Danish bakery chain in November, coming at the same time as the announcement of a search for a new group CEO. Hollinshead takes over from Tim Selby, the temporary replacement of Lee Nixon who stepped down in April.

Sarah Boddy
Managing director, St Pierre Groupe
The Didsbury-headquartered bakery supplier, which owns brioche specialist St Pierre as well as Baker Street and Paul Hollywood brands, moved to promote its commercial director Sarah Boddy as a replacement of David Wagstaff, who moves on after three years on the company’s board. Boddy’s proven success and in-depth knowledge of the business was said to make her a “compelling choice” for the MD role.